Council of Experts: Germany is able to meet its climate targets

Berlin (dpa) – Germany is likely to stay within its emissions budget for harmful greenhouse gases in the years leading up to 2030. This was announced by the Federal Government’s Council of Experts. Germany’s Climate Protection Act sets annual limits on the amount of greenhouse gases the country is allowed to emit between 2020 and 2030, and the total of these annual limits forms the emissions budget. The Council of Experts is an independent five-member body that reviews the effectiveness of Germany’s climate policy and provides recommendations to policymakers. Its responsibilities are defined by law. In its newly published report, the Council largely confirms the figures presented by the Federal Environment Agency in March. 

The new Environment Minister, Carsten Schneider, pledged: “The entire Federal Government is firmly committed to meeting both national and European climate targets and achieving climate neutrality by 2045.” He stressed that climate-friendly technologies had to be strengthened, particularly in the areas of transport, buildings and land use. “That’s why the government will be presenting a new and ambitious climate action programme,” he said.